Feed-water heater and regulator



(No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet 1.

N. OLUTE. FEED WATER HEATER AND REGULATOR.

No. 404,683. Patented June 4, 1889.

(No Modl.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

N. GLUTE. FEED WATER HEATER AND REGULATOR. v No. 404,683. Patented June 4, 1889.

I T: N

OVERFLOW To REsI/LTOR f- E /yteszf JWLER I v fig/6725070 N PETERS. Phololilhogmpher, Washingtnn, D. C.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3. N. OLUTE.

I FEED WATER HEATER AND REGULATOR. No. 404,683

Patented Ju ne 4, 1889.

N. PETERS. Phom-Lilhugrapher, Wnhingicn. n. c

(No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 4.

N. OLUTE.

FEED WATER HEATER AND REGULATOR. No. 404,683. Patented June 4, 1889.

' ITECE/ Jim 6-: jU/aza UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NICHOLAS CLUTE, OF SOHENECTADY, NEIV YORK.

FEED-WATER HEATER AND REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 404,683, dated June 4, 1889.

Application filed January 23, 1889- Serial No. 297,291. (No model.)

[0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, N IOHOLAS CLUTE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FeedJVater Heaters and Regulators; and I'do hereby 'declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to improvements in feed-water heaters and regulators, the object being to simplify and perfect the construction of the same; and it consists, essentially, in the construction of the heater, regulator, and the receiver, and in their combination and arrangement; and, further, in certain details in the construction, arrangement, and combinationof the several parts of the invention, substantially as will behereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved feed-water heater. Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of the heater, receiver, regulator, and adjacent parts, certain of said parts being shown in elevation. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a portion of the boiler, showing the arrangement therewith of the overflow, feed, and relief pipes. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation on the line a: x of Fig. 3, and shows the detailed construction of one of the pumps. Fig. 7 is an outline plan view of the same.

Like letters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout all the different figures.

A denotes the cylinder, which I term the heater, and is preferably of an elongated form, and may be constructed in several parts, if desired. I am restricted to no particular form, size, or arrangement of this heater, but reserve the liberty of making it inthe best shape which experience may dictate. upper head of the heater A is entered by the water-supply pipe B, which comes from the hydrant, water-main, or other water-supply, said pipe B being provided at a suitable point with a valve B. (See Fig. 1.)

The.

The heater A is provided interiorly with the transverse perforated partition or diaphragm A, upon which the water coming through the supply-pipeB falls and is broken up into fine spray, which falls through the heater to the bottom thereof. The lower end of this heater is shaped as an elbow-pipe A which enters the side wall of the receiver D at a suitable point above the bottom of the same.

The side of the heater A is entered at a convenientpoint by the exhaust-pipe O, which conveys a certain portion of the exhaust-steam from the exhaust-pipe of the engine. I have shown only a portion of this exhaust-pipe, and have not illustrated the manner in which it is connected with the engine, as this is not thought to be necessary. The upper end of the portion of the exhaust-pipe which I have illustrated in the drawings (see Fig. 4) is'entered by a water-pipe a, conveying water from any convenient source, the end of said pipe within the exhaust-pipe being pointed and emitting therefrom the water in a fine spray. Thus the exhaust-steam in the exhaust-pipe will be partially condensed by means of this spray before it reaches the heater. The mingled steam and water upon entering the heater, as shown by the arrow inFig. 4, will be immediately brought into contact with the shower of water falling through the perforated diaphragm A. In this manner the feed-water will be warmed within the heater before it reaches the receiver.

The receiver D consists of a cylindrical body of suitable size and shape. It is located alongside of the heater. It contains an interior cylinder D, between which and the outer wall of the receiver is an annular space, said interior cylinder being held in place by suitable braces and being provided at the lower end with openings or apertures ff of any convenient size and shape, to permit the passage of the feed-water from the annular space into the interior of the inner cylinder, for, as will be observed, the feed-water com ing from the heater first enters through the elbow-pipe A the annular space between the outer wall of the receiver and the inner cylinder. t

(1 denotes the outlet-pipe which conveys the water from the receiver to the pump, whereby it is forced onward boiler.

Vithin the receiver is a float E, which rests upon the water and is raised or lowered by the same. It will be observed that the water which enters the receiver will rise therein to a certain level. In order to keep this level at the proper height, so as to insure and maintain a constant supply of water for the pump, I provide this float and connect the same by an intermediate system of leverage with the valve B, located in the water-supply pipe, which conveys the feed-water to the heater.

0 denotes a vertical rod connected to the float E and projecting through the lower end of the receiver into the waste-pipe I), which is centrally attached to the base of the receiver, said rod also projecting through a suitable stuffing-box in the head of the receiver and being pivotally connected to a lever Z, fulcrumed upon a movable standard 0, the part of the lever Z beyond said fulcrumpoint being pivotally attached to a link or rod 112, connecting pivotally at its other end with a lever n, fulcrumed at its other end on a lug n on the feed-pipe adjacent to the valve B, said lever n being a lever of the second class, the stem of valve I3 being attached to the lever between its fulcrum and the link m, which is the actuating-power of this lever. It will thus be clear that any elevation of the water-level above its normal height (and in Fig. 4 I have shown the water-level at what appears to me to be the normal height thereof) will result in so actuating; the leverage as to close the valve B and thus diminish or stop the water-supply, while on the other hand any depression of the water-line below the normal limit would cause the float to descend and the valve B in consequence opened to such an extent as to increase the supply of water. In this way the water-level is kept substantially constant, and the supply within the receiver is such as to afford to the bump a regular inflow of water. The receiver is entered by a pipe g, which deposits therein the drip coming from the heatingpipes.

The waste-pipe l) is provided with a valve 1). This is usually kept closed, but may be opened whenever it is desired to clean the receiver. The opening of the valve allows the impure water and the sediment, 8.50., which may have settled to the bottom of the chamber to be removed. The receiver is also provided with another waste-pipe 71, passing out of the receiver near the upper end thereof and servin to remove any waste steam that may have obtained entrance into the receiver above the water, as the waste steam may have entered the receiver along with the feed-water, or it may have passed through the pipe K, which enters the wall of the receiver, the

function and purpose of which pipe will be hereinafter explained when we come to discuss the consig'uction of the regulator. The

for delivery into the lower end of the waste-pipe 71 enters the wastepipe Z) ata point between the end of this latter pipe and the valve Z), so that although the pipe Z) is opened only at intervals, yet the pipe h has a permanent discharge through the pipe Z).

In the example of myinvention,whichIam now describing, I have shown but one receiver and but one heater, although I have shown two independent pumps, two independent regulators and connections between these regulators and two independent boilers. I have also shown mechanism for actuating these two separate pumps. The two regulators are duplicates of each other, as also are the two pumps. I do not intend that my invention shall be confined to two pumps, &c., for, if desired, I may have but one pump. However, inasmuch as it is often the custom to have two boilers of ordinary size, I have thought it best in this example of my invention to show two regulators and two pumps. It will furthermore be noted that there might be more than two regulators and pumps, if desired. In pursuing this description of my invention I shall describe in detail one of the pumps and one of the regulators, and this description will snffice for both, inasmuch as the constructions are duplicates.

F denotes one of the regulators for one of the boilers. I have not shown the construction of the boilers in full, but in Fig. have represented in diagrammatic form a portion of a boiler, designated by II, in which boiler the water-line is indicated by dotted lines.

I denotes the overflow-pipe passing out from the boiler at the waterline.

M is the feed-pipe, and J the relief-pipe, said pipes being'eonnected by a common pipesection that enters the boiler. The feed-pipc runs from the pump to convey water to the boiler, and the relief-pipe runs from the heater to the pipe-section, which connects both the relief andfeed pipes to the boiler, as shown in Fig.5. The direction and location of the relief-pipe is best shown in Fig. l.

The regulator consists of a suitable cylinder of any desirable size and shape, it being similar in construction to the receiver and having an internal cylinder F located within, so that there is an annular space between it and the wall of the regulator. Said interior cylinder is held in place by suitable braces and the lower end thereof is provided with the apertures or openings 13 1), whereby communication is established between the annular space and theinterior of cylinder F. The overflow-pipe I, just mentioned, enters the reg- .ulator at a suitable point. Said pipe is prowater will only pass when the water-line in' the boiler rises high enough to allow water to enter the pipe I.

Within the regulator is a float G, adapted to move'up and down within the interior cylinder, its motion being governed by the water which finds its way from the boiler into the regulator. The object of the movement of this float is to. diminish the flow of feedwater into the boiler, and it accomplishes its purpose in the following manner: Connected to the float G is a vertical rod e, which proj ects through the head of the regulator through a suitable stuffing-box, and is pivotally connected to the lever e, carrying near its outer end an adjustable counterbalance-weight 2", said lever being fulcrumed upon a movable standard q, supported upon the top of the regulator, said lever being pivotally attached to a link or rod j, which in turn pivotallyconnects with a lever is, fulcrumed upon a curved standard 1, carried by the relief-pipe J, the end of the lever 7c being pivotally connected to the stem of a valve J, located in the relief-pipe J. The lever 70, it will be noted, is a lever of the first class, the fulcrum being between the power and the work. The curved standard 1" is provided with. a suitable setscrew 1-, which is adjustable, so as to regulate the extent of movement of the end of the lever is and its connected valve-stem, and

thus regulate the amount of opening which the actuation of the lever may give to the valve J. The operator can adjust these mechanical parts, therefore, in such amanner as that the valve J may be opened to the extent desired. It will be manifest, therefore, that when the overflow from the boiler enters the regulator it causes the float to be lifted, so that the intermediate leverage just described will operate to open the valve J, and thus cause a flow of waterthrough the reliefpipe in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 4, which water will find an outlet from said pipe into the heater, and thence into the receiver. This water thus permitted to pass through the relief-pipe would, had the valve J not been opened, have entered the boiler, for, by referring to Fig. 5,it will be seen that the feed-pipe M carries the feed-water round into the boiler through a small pipe-section to which the relief-pipe is coupled, and thus past the relief-pipe, out through which it cannot flow when the valve J is closed; but with this valve open a great amount of the feedwater will pass out through the relief-pipe instead of entering the boiler, and thus it will be seen that when there is too much water in the boiler the overflow of said water from the surface will operate the mechanical parts described so as to automatically obstruct the full flow of water into the boiler. In this way the proper water-level in the boiler may be maintained automatically. By the use of my improved feed-water heater, therefore, danger will be obviated and the same strict attention to the device is not necessary on the part of the operator that is required with the majority of the feed-water heaters now in use. I

K denotes a pipe running from the bottom of the regulator and entering the sidewall of the receiver. Said pipe is provided with a valve K, which is preferably given onequarter turn. Through this pipe water passes from the regulator and enters the receiver;

also, I have provided a steam-pipe L, passing out from the regulator at a suitable point in the wall thereof and entering the pipe K. Through this pipe L waste steam emerges from the regulator, and is conveyed by the pipe K into the receiver, to the top of which it usually rises, and is removed from the waste-pipe h above described.

The pipe (l leads out from the receiver and connects with pipes O O, which leads to the two pumps, respectively, saidpipes being provided with valves, as shown in Fig. 3, so that, if desired, the current of water into one of the pumps may be out off.

In Fig. 6 I have shown in detail the construction of the pump. The pipe 0 enters the valve-casir g P, containing the upper valve P and the lower valve P Q denotes the pump-plunger which operates within the cylinder R. Said cylinder connects with the valve-casing P by means of a short coupling-pipe s.

The operation of the valves P and P will be easily understood when it is stated that as the pump-plunger Q rises the valve P will, by reason of the back-pressure of the steam in the feed-pipe M, be caused to hug closely its seat and thus be closed, while the lower valve P will be removed from its seat and opened to admit the entrance of water into the pump; and on the other hand, when the pump-plunger descends, the upper valve P will be thrust upward from its seat and the water driven through it and the pipe M onward into the boiler, while at the same time the lower valve P will be closed upon its seat and further admission of feed-water from pipe 0 be prevented until the next upward reciprocation of the pump-plunger.

The pump-plungers are operated by mechanism as follows: S S (see Fig. 3) denote the band-pulley secured upon a horizontal shaft S, suitably journaled in the main frame of my machine. To these pulleys power is applied by belts operating from any convenient motor. The ends of the shaft S are provided with pinions T T, that mesh with the gears TT, carried by shaft t,journaled in the frame of the machine. To each gear T is connected a pitman-rod U, which is attached to its respective plunger Q.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved feed-water heater" it will be observed that I provide a very etficient device-one compact in all its parts, easily constructed, and effective in operation to accomplish the purposes in view. Its operation will be easily understood from the foregoing description of the construction and arrangement of parts without need of further additional descriptive detail. The receiver, by means of its float and connecting leverage, alfords a permanent and regular supply of water to the pumps, whereby said water is forced into the boiler. The regulator, by means of its float and leverage, enables the water-level within the boiler to be kept at the proper point at all times. It not only operates to diminish the level of the water by removing the water from the top thereof, but also by preventing additional water from ontering the bottom of the boiler, thus exerting its function in a double'manner. The heater also effectually heats the feedwater and properly prepares the same for use in the boiler, and all these parts are suitably connected together, and neatly and compactly arranged, so as to operate jointly and harmoniously in the best and most successful manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As an improvement in feed-water heaters, the combination, with the boiler, of the water-receiver having a float connected to the valve in the supply-pipe, and a regulator for the boiler connected to the valve in the relief-pipe, substantially as described.

2. The combinatiomwith the water-heating chamber having a transverse perforated diaphragm, of the water-supply pipe entering the upper end thereof, the water-receiver entered by the lower end of the heating-chamber, and a float within the receiver, and connecting mechanism between it and a valve in the supply-pipe, substantially as described.

3. The combinatiomwith the water-heating chamber having a perforated diaphragm, of the water-supply pipe entering the top thereof, the steam-exhaust pipe entering the chamber below the perforated diaphragm, the water-pipe spraying into the exhaust, the receiver entered by the lower end of the heatin g-chamber, and the float within the receiver connecting by suitable mechanism with a valve in the supply-pipe, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the waterheater and the water-supply pipe entering it, of the boiler, the water-receiver entered by the lower end of the heater, the float in said receiver, the connecting mechanism between the float and a valve in the supply-pipe, and the regulator for the boiler, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the boiler,its feed, overflow, and relief pipes, the regulator-chamber, a float therein, and connecting mechanism between it and avalve in the relief-pipe, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the boiler, of the regulator-chamber, an overflow-pipe leading from the boiler to said regulator-chamber, a float within the regulator, the receiver from which the water is conveyed to the boiler, the Water-heater connecting with the receiver, the relief-pipe leading from the boiler-feed to the water-heater, and connecting mechanism between the float and a valve in the reliefpipe, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. The combination of the boiler, its feed, overflow, an d relief pipes, the regulator-chamber, the float therein, connecting mechanism between it and a valve in the relief-pipe, the Water-heater entered by the relief, a supplypipe entering the heater, the water-receiver, a float within the receiver, and connecting mechanism between it and a valve in the supply-pipe, substantially as described.

8. The combination of the boiler, the water receiver, the pump, the pipe leading from the receiver to the pump, and the pipe leading from the pump to the boiler, the Water-heater, the water-supply pipe entering the float in the receiver, and the connecting mechanism between the float and a valve in said supplypipe, substantially as described.

9. The combination of the boiler, the pump, a passage from the pump to the boiler, the water-receiver having a float connected to a valve in the supply-pipe, a water-passage between the receiver and pump, the regulator for governing the water-level in the boiler, having a float connected to a valve in the relief-pipe, and the water-heater, all arranged and operating substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\Vitnesses:

S. HERBERT GIEsY, FRED E. 'lAsKER. 

